Maitland Art Center exhibits focus on founder Andre Smith

André Smith is remembered today by Central Floridians as the founder of the Maitland Art Center. But that achievement can overshadow the less monumental work of the noted artist, architect and author.

Smith, who lived from 1880-1959, is featured in three exhibits this summer at the Maitland Art Center, now part of the Art & History Museums — Maitland. One takes visitors "behind the scenes" of his creativity with a look at his sketchbooks. It's the first time those sketchbooks have been on view.

Larson arranged the exhibit to juxtapose the sketches with finished pieces that illustrate how Smith followed through on his ideas.

"I want people to have a better understanding of him as an artist," Larson says. "I don't think people realize he was running the art center while at the same time producing his own body of work. I don't think they realize he was as proficient as he was and that he used so many media."

Smith worked in watercolors, oils, cement sculpture and printmaking, among other media. The books, dating from the 1920s through the 1940s, contain intimate watercolors and crayon sketches.

Another exhibit, "André Smith: Picturing Place," presents highlights from the A&H's holdings of prints, paintings and drawings reflecting Smith's travels in the United States and Europe. After receiving his degree in architecture from Cornell University, Smith went to Europe to study. He returned to France during World War I, appointed by the U.S. government to record the activities of American Expeditionary Forces.

Upon his return from the war, Smith settled in Stony Creek, Conn., and wintered in Maitland. In 1937, he founded the Maitland Art Center, which hosted working artists of national renown.

He continued to travel to Europe, where some of his most memorable etchings were completed. His etchings frequently reflected the influence of his architectural studies.

The city of Maitland acquired the center in 1969.

The third exhibition currently on view, "Recent Acquisitions," features new works in the A&H collection. Two are by Smith.

Comparing his sketches to finished pieces should give visitors a new appreciation for Smith as an artist, Larson says.

"It really sets a foundation," she says. "It's new insight into his work."

The Art & History Museums – Maitland's Ladies' Art Lounge continues with a new program on Friday, July 5. Participants will explore bookbinding from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the A&H's Germaine Marvel Building, 210 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland.

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